15 DECEMBER 2024
BRIGHTON & HOVE ALBION 1 CRYSTAL PALACE 3
PREMIER LEAGUE - at the AMERICAN EXPRESS STADIUM, FALMER.
Matchday 16 saw the Albion engage with Crystal Palace in a M23 derby in the Premier at the Amex, "live" in front of the Sky Sports cameras and broadcast over the airwaves on BBC Radio 5 Live and BBC Radio Sussex Sport.
In their previous outing the Seagulls had drawn 2-2 at Leicester City in the Premier on the 8 December and for the visit of Palace the Albion made one change to their starting line-up from the Leicester game, with Yankuba Minteh coming in for Evan Ferguson.
Last time out in the Premier, Palace had drawn 2-2 at home to Champions Manchester City on the 7 December and Eagles Head Coach Oliver Glasner named an unchanged line-up for his teams visit to the Amex.
In their meetings in the Premier last season the teams drew 1-1 at Selhurst Park on the 21 December 2023, with Danny Welbeck (82m) netting for the Seagulls after Jordan Ayew (45+1m) had opened the scoring for the Eagles. In the return fixture at the Amex on the 3 February 2024, the Albion ran out 4-1 winners, with the goals coming from Lewis Dunk (3m), Jack Hinshelwood (33m), Facundo Buonanotte (34m) and Joao Pedro (84m) with Jean-Philippe Mateta (71m) netting the Eagles consolation.
It was Albion from the start as Joao Pedro's flicked pass found the on-running Kaoru Mitoma whose low shot was deflected away by Palace keeper Dean Henderson. The Palace keeper was in action again as he left his line to save from Albion winger Yankuba Minteh.
Palace were looking dangerous and they took the lead on 27 minutes when a corner by Will Hughes deflected off Jan Paul Van Hecke into the path of Trevor Chalobah and from close-range the Chelsea loanee poked the ball home to put the Eagles ahead. 0-1.
Minutes later the visitors came close to increasing their lead when Albion keeper Bart Verbruggen beat away a low shot from Daniel Munoz. On 33 minutes Tariq Lamptey misjudged the flight of Maxence Lacroix's free-kick which landed at the feet of wing-back Tyrick Mitchell who crossed to the far post from where Ismaila Sarr headed the ball past Verbruggen to put the Eagles two up. The Amex was stunned into silence, save for the celebrating away fans. 0-2.
Prior to the break Verbruggen saved from Jean-Philippe Mateta and a header from Eberechi Eze cleared the crossbar. Palace were worth their half-time lead.
Half-time 0-2.
Tariq Lamptey was hooked for Julio Enciso at half-time. The Seagulls applied themselves with renewed vigour, Pedro and Mitoma had goalbound efforts blocked, Lewis Dunk's header was saved by Henderson and minutes later the Palace keeper made an excellent save to keep out Enciso's curled shot from 25 yards out.
Palace regained their composure, Munoz had a goal chalked off for offside and the impressive Sarr went close with a flicked shot. Substitute Brajan Gruda went close with a free-kick but on 82 minutesthe Eagles got a third as Sarr got on the end of substitute Eddie Nketiah's pass to guide the ball past Verbruggen. Game over. 0-3.
There was still time for the Albion to be gifted a consolation on 87 minutes by virtue of a Marc Guehi own goal. 1-3. Before the end Nketiah raced clear but placed his shot wide of the mark and for Henderson to make a fine save from Enciso's shot.
Final-score 1-3.
Match stats:
Albion had 17 attempts at goal, with 5 on target and won 8 corners, free-kicks conceded - 11.
Crystal Palace had 13 attempts at goal, with 5 on target and won 5 corners, free-kicks conceded - 15.
SUMMARY - A bad day at the office for the Albion. The defence looked shaky against the Palace forwards. Recent Albion displays have been lacking the intensity of form previously shown against the likes of Spurs (h), Newcastle (a), Manchester City (h) and Bournemouth (a). Lets hope the Albion can recover their form, starting at West Ham this weekend.
Albion line-up (4-2-3-1):- Bart VERBRUGGEN, Tariq LAMPTEY (Julio ENCISO 46), Jan Paul VAN HECKE, Lewis DUNK (Capt), Pervis ESTUPINAN; Carlos BALEBA (Mats WIEFFER 88), Yasin AYARI (Brajan GRUDA 72); Yankuba MINTEH (Simon ADINGRA 72), Georginio RUTTER (Evan FERGUSON 72), Kaoru MITOMA; Joao PEDRO.
Subs not used: Jason STEELE (G/K), Igor JULIO, Ruairi McCONVILLE, Jakub MODER.
Crystal Palace line-up (3-4-2-1):- Dean HENDERSON; Trevor CHALOBAH, Maxence LACROIX, Marc GUEHI (Capt); Daniel MUNOZ, Will HUGHES (Cheick DOUCOURE 85), Jefferson LERMA, Tyrick MITCHELL (Nathaniel CLYNE 85); Ismaila SARR (Justin DEVENNY 92), Eberechi EZE (Daichi KAMADA60); Jean-Philippe MATETA (Eddie NKETIAH 60). Subs not used: Matt TURNER (G/K), Jeffrey SCHLUPP, Asher ASBINONE, Caleb KPORHA.
Referee: Michael Oliver (Northumberland).
Fourth Official: Simon Hooper.
VAR Official: John Brooks.
Yellow Cards:
Albion: 1 - Lewis Dunk.
Crystal Palace: 4 - Dean Henderson, Marc Guehi, Daniel Munoz, Ismaila Sarr.
Possession: Albion - 65%. Crystal Palace - 35%.
BBC Sport Player of the Match:: Ismaila Sarr (Crystal Palace).
Atrendance: 30893.
NEXT GAME:
21 DECEMBER 2024 - WEST HAM UNITED - Away - Premier League - kick-off 15.00.
Jack Kaye.
18 December 2024.